Battle for Three-Hour title heats up for South Island Endurance Series at Timaru on Saturday

The battle for the Carter’s Tyre Service Three-Hour South Island Endurance Series – Presented by Michelin, has been left wide open with the no-show of current leaders Lance Hughes/Chris van der Drift for the second round at the Timaru International Raceway on Saturday. Having convincingly won the opening round at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, the Nissan GT-R GT3 team headed home to Hamilton and are now stuck in level 3 lock down.

**Start of Three-Hour at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell – Photo Terry Marshall**

The Timaru round is likely to be an epic battle between some very quick Class E (GT3) machinery. Leading that charge and second home at Highlands, will be Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie (Porsche 991 GT3R). The very quick McLaren 650S GT3 of Glenn Smith may also emerge as a winner with Smith being joined by the very experienced ex TRS driver Damon Leitch.

Also joining the field and making its NZ debut will be another Nissan GT-R GT3 of Anthony Leigh’s who will have the talented Tom Alexander as co-driver. Add in the MARC Mustang of experienced campaigners Sam Collins and Nick Ross as well as a very quick Porsche 991.1 Cup car with ex WRC driver Hayden Paddon joining Martin Dippie at the wheel. Both these teams could have been on the Highlands podium albeit for mechanical problems.

***Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie (Porsche 991 GT3R) will be looking for a podium at Timaru – Photo Terry Marshall***

Consistent performance is the key to either outright or class wins. Graeme Rhodes/Paul Rickerby (Ford V8 SuperTourer) showed that they are ready to pounce onto the podium, finishing fourth overall at Highlands and first in Class D (GT). The VW Golf GTI TCR of Grant Askew/Cole Askew were also in the mix winning Class B (2001-3500cc) but will have some quick competition from another TCR entrant Barry Moore/Tim Mackersy (VW Golf GTI TCR).

***#65 Grant Askew-Cole Askew, VW Golf GTI TCR, Class B winner at the opening round, Photo Euan Cameron***

Cameron Davies/Flyn Mitchell (Mazda RX8 GT) will be back competing in Class C (>3501cc) and seeking a top ten overall finish. While they may be slower on track, the competition in Class A (0-2000cc) is always intense. Father and son pairing of Andrew and Will Kitching (Honda Civic) will look for another class win against Grant Moore/Matt Moore (Toyota Altezza) and Terence Phillips/Darryl Phillips (Honda Civic) with the Tim Stanton/Adam Jones/Leyton Tremain Peugeot 106 Clubsport making their return to the series.

The second of four Three-Hour rounds gets underway with qualifying at 9:50am and racing at 1:30pm, Saturday 16 October at Timaru International Raceway, Timaru.

Three-Hour Entry list
Number, Drivers, Car
20, Jarrod Parmenter/Andrew Brunton, Mazda RX8
24, Don McIntyre/Rob Williams, Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car
28, Anthony Leighs/Tom Alexander, Nissan GTR
31, Paul Rickerby/Graeme Rhodes, Ford V8 Supertourer
47, Cameron Davies/Flyn Mitchell, Mazda RX8
65, Grant Askew/Cole Askew, Seat Supacopa Leon
76, Andrew Kitching/Will Kitching, Honda Civic
79, Barry Moore/Tim Mackersy, Volkswagon Golf GTI TCR
81, Darryl Barrett/Hamish Frew, V8 SuperTourer
88, Bill Riding/Scott Flanagan, Porsche 991 Cup
90, Glenn Smith/Damon Leitch, McLaren 650S GT3
94, Tim Stanton/Adam Jones/Leyton Tremain, Peugeot 106 Clubsport
96, Terence Phillips/Darryl Phillips, Honda Civic
125, Ben Coffin/Cameron Jones, Mazda RX7
171, Grant Moore/Matt Moore, Toyota Altezza
215, Ben McConochie/Jared Pyke, Mazda RX8
275, Ron Mackersy/Warren Good, Renault Clio Cup Car
777, Sam Collins/Nick Ross, Marc Mustang
888, Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan, Porsche 991 Cup
912, Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie, Porsche 991 GT3R
991, Martin Dippie/Hayden Paddon, Porsche 991.1 Cup